My Friend Is Going Through Some Pretty Rough Trials…

My friend is going through some pretty rough trials. She feels very angry towards God for these trials. Is it a sin to be mad at God?

Re:1Jn.5.17 says that all mistakes are sins (RSV). The word ‘sin’ is a technical term in the Bible and it has special meaning in the Bible just as the words ‘bug’ and ‘virus’ in a computer text book are technical words which have special meanings. The word ‘sin’ in the Bible stands for moral and spiritual mistakes. In this sense, yes, indeed, it is sin to be mad at God.

Let me try and explain the situation. Your friend is going through rough trials. Obviously she is a Christian believer. That is why she is mad at God. If she was an atheist, she could not be mad at God as to an atheist God is a non-entity. Indeed, it is this sort of trials which make some to become atheists. I am glad that your friend has not gone to that extreme. Then it would be beyond help (1Jn.5:16). But in her present situation, we can try and help her and pray for her.

I suggest that any one going through trials in life must read a few passages of scripture regularly and muse on them. James chapter 1 must be read again and again. Like wise read through the book of Job several times during the periods of trial. Psa.55 is another passage and make Ps.143 as a regular prayer during this period. Of course there are other passages as well.

The first thing James says about trials ( vv.2-4 ) is that one must count it all joy. The simple reason is that it is an indication that God is at work within us. He is working towards perfection. If we interfere and do not co-operate with God, it is going to cost us dearly. It is like some one being called upon to write an examination. After all, every one is not called. Only those who are qualified are called upon! So rejoice.

Then James says we need to ask God for wisdom to face the situation (vv.5-8). If your friend is willing to do these two preliminary things, things are pretty much going to fall in place and she will come out victoriously.

James then goes on to say that status in life is a trial of one’s faith (vv.9-11) as he talks about the rich and the poor. Some people commit sin because they are rich; others commit sin because of poverty. Let us remember whether due to riches or due to poverty sin is sin. All trials in life are temptations to commit sin. So trials in life are really a test of your faith! Do you only trust God for the good things He gives you or do you have a better reason to trust God for? By the way, is your friend’s trials connected with a financial situation?

V.12 talks about the crown of life which would be given to the one who endures trials. Crown of life is not merely some thing which awaits a believer in eternity. It is the quality of life offered here and now after the period of trials. Crown of gold indicates crown made of gold. Like wise crown of life indicates crown made of abundant life which Christ promised (Jn.10:10) to those who follow Him.

Look at the whole chapter in the context of trials in life. It will be an excellent study in itself. The last verses talk about true religion being helpful to widows and orphans. This may suggest to the one undergoing trials in life that after all there are many others who suffer their whole life being widows and orphans! Every one is not a widow or an orphan. When people suffer their whole life being what they are, how could one look at the temporary phase of life with anger at God?

Your friend either has NO RIGHT to be angry at God OR she has NO NEED to be mad at God. She has no right to be mad at God as she faces trials in life IF the present situation that she is in is caused by her own past actions (cf.Js.1:13-15). She knows it well. None of us may ever know it. But she knows it. But if she does not know, let her sit quietly in the presence of the Lord and find out whether the situation that she is in, is caused by her own past actions. If she thinks, “yes” she has no right to be mad at God. She can just humbly ask God to forgive the past and rectify the present situation for His glory, which He will surely do at His own time.

Then IF she comes to know with out a doubt that the present situation is NOT caused by any thing that she did in the past, she has NO NEED to be angry at God. God is at work within her preparing to give her a higher quality of life through the present situation. In other words, God is melting and molding her to suit His purposes for her. It may be painful for her. But remember that there is no crown with out a cross. Only those who suffer with Him ever will ever reign with Him (2Tim.2:11).

Either way, she must rejoice in the fact that God is at work within her life. Ps. 50:15 says, “Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you and you will glorify me”. Js.5:13 says, “If any among you suffer, let him call upon the Lord”. Sufferings are occasions when God is invoking us to draw closer to Him. Make use of this special calling from God to be nearer to Him. Like Daniel, let us be found three times a day on our knees before God in prayer (Dan.6:12). Other wise we will be defeating the purpose of being a believer in Christ. Remember that He promised that He will not allow you to be tempted more than you are able and that He will make a way out as well (1Cor.10:13). Of course He knows our frame (Ps.103:14) and He will never over-load His loved ones! Praise be to His Holy Name.

A word of testimony might help her. The one who wrote this answer has been unable to stand up and walk for the last seventeen years following a fever which left him semi-paralyzed. He began his life as a Bible translator after his studies in Biblical languages and in Linguistics. But 12 years after being in the field where he saw marvelous answers to prayers, he is now in the present situation rejoicing over the fact that God is at work within him. For one second he could not doubt God’s goodness and grace towards him and the family. If interested read more of his stories at www.mathewpaul.org .

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us. We know that what ever God does in the life of a believer, God does it in grace and for a purpose (2Cor.1:3-11). May the gracious loving Heavenly Father be praised